How to Switch from HFT to Semi-Systematic Trading?
Hi,
I am currently a 2nd year (joined as an undergrad) at a tier one prop trading team that focuses on high frequency trading. I am pretty good at the current job due to strong math and programming background. However, I feel like if I keep working at my current position, I will never get the chance to start my own desk or be a PM, since hft is pretty much a factory that requires significant upfront engineering and investment setups.
Therefore, I am curious whether there is a way to switch from HFT to semi-systematic trading. I've heard many good things about Citadel's commodities group. Are any of their business semi-systematic? If so, how would they view previous experience at HFT? How should I prepare myself for those kinds of positions (books, podcasts, newspapers, etc.), since most of my previous experiences are in STEM. Thanks!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights on switching from HFT to semi-systematic trading:
Understanding Semi-Systematic Trading:
Citadel's Commodities Group:
Leveraging HFT Experience:
Preparation for Transition:
Networking and Learning:
By leveraging your HFT experience and expanding your knowledge in semi-systematic trading, you can position yourself effectively for a transition to roles that offer more discretionary decision-making opportunities.
Sources: Trader + Career Advice = Next Job, Career switch into quant trading - viable?, Transitioning from IB/ER to HF Series - Part 2: Where to Interview and Behaviorals, Will robots replace your consulting or financial career?, WSO Hall of Fame: Trading Forum
Yes, this is attainable with a strong background. I would be surprised if Citadel Commodities had exactly what you are looking for, though it is possible.
You should look into Citadel Securities Quant Trading or Semi-Systematic Trading.
Thanks for the reply! As far as I know, citsec's core team works on mostly 30-minute systematic equity, which is quite built-out and secretive. As a junior quant, I probably won't be able to learn much. In terms of semi-systematic trading, do you have any firms/teams that you recommend? Thanks!
It is my understanding there are also several semi-systematic groups at Citadel Securities, within both options and equities.
Bumping as I'm in the similar shoes with the OP..I have 2 years experience in the Fully systematic trading space though our team is more tilted to mid frequency trading, but I really want to pivot into Semi_systematic trading. Problem is, I believe applying for experienced hire wouldn't make sense as I don't have any relevent work experience.
I was wondering would it make sense that I can recruit for the new grad roles in the semi systematic shops(Citsec, JSC, Optiver, DRW, FLow traders like shops) given I'd be willing to compromise my past experience? Or would the recruiter just dump my resume given my experience? Quite desperate here.
I understand what you guys are getting at, but from a more experienced perspective and from knowing the industry (I've worked in both HFT and MFT, both fully systematic) - I believe having an HFT skillset (either in; trading the models, or trading algo research/development, NOT software engineering) is highly valuable and can definitely/easily lead to a PM position. You're right that HFT strategies require a considerable amount of initial outlay and very specific/custom resources, but many HFT style pod shops (e.g. Tower, AlphaGrep, Jump etc) these days already have all this infrastructure to support a "plug-and-play" PM (obviously they will need some nuanced implementation of their algos). In fact, there's currently MORE demand for HFT oriented PMs than there are for MFT oriented PMs. The reason for this is that firms generally prefer the consistent, high Sharpe returns that HFT strategies can offer, despite having lower capacity. Only the bigger firms can stomach the PnL volatility from MFT strategies, and there are less big firms than there are medium+small firms.
I would think long and hard about cutting your HFT experience short. While I do believe getting exposure to MFT is highly beneficial to your career, I think it's worth getting the most of the HFT experience (reach that plateau). I also think it's much easier to go from HFT -> MFT than it is to go from MFT -> HFT, from a learning point of view and from a career/role point of view..
Thanks so much for the detailed reply!
Could someone give me an explanation of what semi-systematic trading looks like in practice?
There are broadly two flavours to this: either you have a systematic signal generator which you act on with manual execution and position management, or you have a manual/discretionary/fundamental signal which you feed into an automated execution algorithm.
You could say there is a third flavour which is how many HFT firms are run, whereby traders effectively 'pilot' an automated trading system. They let the system trade on it's own but intervene and/or adjust parameters based on market conditions/events. I guess you could deem this as 'semi-systematic trading' due to the human input.
Personally I don't really see the attraction of semi-systematic trading besides some flexibility it offers (but you could argue this introduces potential human error or biases etc). Either way you look at it, if any part of your trade process is manual/discretionary then it just means more work for you. This is why I prefer fully systematic trading because it minimises error, minimises the amount of work required, is fully repeatable (good science) and it's easier to know if you have an actual edge (statistical signifance) versus randomness.
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